Apparel

Report: J. Crew to launch new format for budget shoppers
New York -- J. Crew Group Inc. is developing a new store format in the budget fashion sector. The company has created a brand called “J. Crew Mercantile,” and filed an application to trademark the phrase for selling clothing and accessories, both online and in stores, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.

The trademark application is still pending, the report said. The new brand would sell merchandise and prices that are similar to its J. Crew Factory outlet concept.
NRF: Retail adds jobs in April
Washington, D.C. -- The National Retail Federation said that retail employment increased 28,000 in April 2014 from March 2014 and 241,000 year-over-year. March's retail employment was revised upward by 2,700 jobs.

NRF said the increase reflects the growth and positive momentum seen in the retail industry in recent months. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. economy as a whole added 288,000 jobs in April, reducing the unemployment rate from 6.7% to 6.3%.

In the Spotlight: Urban Development

When building an urban store, be prepared for anything, and make friends with your local Economic Development Corp. early, said retailers and a developer at the “Setting Up Shop Downtown” session.
It’s critical to get the local community on board and solicit their comments early, advised Terry Pratt, senior tenant coordinator of Philadelphia-based PREIT, particularly regarding lighting and signage.
Changing Perceptions

Discount retailing has undergone a major transformation in recent years
Toward the end of 2008, it became painstakingly obvious to retailers that impulse spending was out and frugal saving was in. Faced with an imminent recession, staggering job loss and quickly depleting discretionary and savings accounts, consumers began to shift their focus to value. The impact of such a large-scale economic event and an abrupt consumer focus shift would appear to alter the fundamental realities of retail.
Retail Networking Made Better

Landlords and tenants have a new way to connect
Networking isn’t new, but in this day and age of emails and texts, the idea of face-to-face business-building has taken on new importance.
Phillips Edison’s Value-Added Strategy

Phillips Edison is transforming The Kenwood Collection. The Kenwood Collection is returning the favor.
Phillips Edison & Company has grown by acquiring troubled shopping centers in good locations, redeveloping and improving the tenant mix. Over the years, the company has continued to optimize retail property value with its complete operating platform providing a diverse range of retail solutions. Today, the Phillips Edison portfolio contains more than 260 shopping centers across the country.
Spotlight on Miracle Mile Shops

Miracle Mile Shops’ new general manager Jerry Irwin talks strategy
Jerry Irwin signed on as general manager of Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas in September 2013. He oversees all center operations, including design, development, management, construction and strategic direction.
Miracle Mile Shops spans 475,000 sq. ft. and boasts 170 stores. Recently, CSA asked Irwin about his plans for the center.
How do you conceive of your role at Miracle Mile Shops?
What's on Tap for RECon 2014?

When the International Council of Shopping Centers opens the doors of the Las Vegas Convention Center on May 18 to shopping center attendees from around the globe, it will unveil a lineup of newly built and redeveloped properties ripe for deal-making.
On the following pages, Chain Store Age highlights five projects that will be on display at RECon 2014.
Hassalo on Eighth
Portland, Ore.
Developer: American Assets Trust
Dover Saddlery to open first Ohio store

Littleton, Mass. - Dover Saddlery Retail Inc. plans to open the first Dover Saddlery tack store in Ohio in summer 2014. The store will be located in Cincinnati and offer in-store services including a saddle demo program and custom boot measuring.
GPShopper taps Vaysman to enable solutions

Mobile solutions provider GPShopper named Yana Vaysman to a new role overseeing a wide range of client facing implementation functions.

GPShopper bills itself as the leading developer of mobile solutions for retailers, and in her role as vp of solutions enablement Vaysman will be based in the company’s Chicago office. She will oversee project management as well as implementation process for all clients, enhancing customer service and facilitating collaboration between GPShopper’s account management and product development teams.
Dick’s accelerating outdoor vision

Dick’s Sporting Goods opened its Field & Stream prototype store last summer and next month the first of eight stores planned for 2014 arrives on the shores of Lake Erie.

The northwestern Pennsylvania community will be home to Dick’s third Field & Stream store with an opening set for June 13. Dick’s began experimenting with the potential new growth format last August when it opened its first location near its home town of Pittsburgh in the suburb of Cranberry Township. A second location opened later in 2013 in Crescent Springs, Ky.
New head of creative at Lands' End

Lands' End has named Becky Gebhardt as SVP, chief creative officer. Gebhardt was actually VP of creative at the company from 2004 to 2007.

The announcement comes a day after the company, which was recently divested by Sears, named Steven Rado as SVP, chief marketing officer.